AFC Wimbledon vs Reading: Jackson's Dons seek first win
AFC Wimbledon host Reading in EFL League One on Saturday, 22 August 2026, at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, with Johnnie Jackson's Dons and Leam Richardson's Royals both chasing their first league win. The afc wimbledon reading fixture pits two sides that opened with defeats and cup drama on penalties. Kick-off is scheduled for 3pm, with referee Michael Barlow in charge.
Neither club has a league point after matchday one. Wimbledon lost 3-0 at Huddersfield Town, while Reading fell 4-3 to Luton Town at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. For more offbeat sports angles, see our Bizarre News & Florida Man coverage hub.
Key Takeaways
- AFC Wimbledon and Reading meet on 22 August 2026 at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, each still searching for a first League One victory.
- Johnnie Jackson's Wimbledon squad lists Jake Reeves, though published team news did not include him in the confirmed lineup or substitutes.
- Former Reading captain Andy Yiadom and Steven Sessegnon are in the Dons squad for the capital return.
- Reading's new signing George Earthy bolsters midfield options, while previews make the Royals narrow favourites.
- Wimbledon won the last meeting 3-2 at home, with two Dons victories across the past three head-to-head games.
Why does this AFC Wimbledon Reading clash matter?
It is matchday two in League One, and both clubs need early momentum. Reading travel south for their first league away game of the season after a chaotic 4-3 home loss to Luton and a penalty win over Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.
Wimbledon have mirrored that uneven start: a league defeat plus two cup ties decided from the spot. They won one shootout but lost to Leyton Orient on Tuesday night, per The Tilehurst End. Recent results suggest a competitive game, even if Reading enter as slight favourites.
What is Johnnie Jackson dealing with at Wimbledon?
Johnnie Jackson leads a Wimbledon side that has not started the campaign strongly. The Dons lost their league opener and have been stretched by consecutive penalty shootouts in cup competition.
Jackson's squad still looks promising on paper. Former Royal Andy Yiadom is available alongside Steven Sessegnon. Jayden Stockley, Marcus Browne, and a 3-5-2 shape featured in confirmed lineup listings published ahead of kick-off.
At home, Wimbledon have struggled lately. Sportsgambler data shows four consecutive losses at the Cherry Red Records Stadium in league play, though they did beat Reading 3-2 the last time the Royals visited.
Where does Jake Reeves fit ahead of kick-off?
Midfielder Jake Reeves remains part of Jackson's Wimbledon squad, but he had not logged any league minutes before this fixture. Published confirmed lineups named Joe McDonnell in goal and a back three of Isaac Ogundere, Dan Sweeney, and Ryan Johnson, with no Reeves among the starters or named substitutes.
That absence from matchday sheets does not remove him from the wider group, but it signals he is not yet in the immediate first-team plans for this Reading test.
Who could decide the result on the pitch?
Reading manager Leam Richardson can call on Jack Marriott, who has three goals already this season. New West Ham signing George Earthy offers goal threat from midfield and was among the substitutes in confirmed team news, while Kyreece Lisbie and Daniel Kyerewaa lead the confirmed attacking line behind Marriott.
Wimbledon's task is to exploit home familiarity against a Reading side that has not won away in four straight league road games. Previews split on the scoreline — The Tilehurst End forecasts a 2-0 Reading win, while betting previews lean toward a narrow 0-1 away victory — but both expect a tight affair between two winless league sides.